Sugar Cravings and Dementia Explained
Many people feel a strong urge for sweets during the day. This craving often comes from blood sugar drops or habits built over time. But what if giving in to those cravings too often harms the brain? Recent studies link high sugar intake and even sugar substitutes to a higher risk of dementia, a condition that affects memory, thinking, and daily tasks.
Sugar enters the bloodstream fast, especially from drinks like soda, juice, or sweet tea. This quick spike harms brain cells over time. It damages memory, learning, and focus. One large study of over 172,000 people found that those eating more total sugar or added sugars faced greater dementia risk. Kids who drink lots of sugary drinks early in life even score lower on IQ tests as adults.
Liquid sugar hits hardest because it is easy to drink too much without feeling full. The World Health Organization says free sugars should stay under 10 percent of daily calories, or 5 percent for best health. Overdoing it leads to brain fog first, then bigger problems like dementia later.
Switching to artificial sweeteners might seem smart, but new research says no. A study in the journal Neurology tracked people over eight years. Those using aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, or sorbitol saw cognitive skills drop 62 percent faster. This equals about 1.6 years of extra aging in the brain, mostly in folks under 60. Doctor Claudia Suemoto, who led the work, notes these chemicals speed up global cognitive decline with higher use.
Not all fats are bad for the brain, though. A long-term study in Sweden followed people for 25 years. Eating at least 50 grams a day of high-fat cheese, over 20 percent fat, linked to lower dementia risk compared to less than 15 grams. This challenges old ideas that all high-fat dairy hurts health.
Cravings can tie into gut health too. Gut bacteria affect blood fats, which then influence brain risks like Alzheimer’s. Certain fats raise Parkinson’s odds, while others lower them. Overloading on sugar and fat during holidays can even cause short-term memory issues, called brain fog.
To fight cravings, eat balanced meals with protein and fiber. These keep blood sugar steady. Walk after eating to help the brain stay sharp.
Sources
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/study-says-sugar-substitutes-cause-dementia-should-diabetes-patients-take-artificial-sweeteners-101765190348415.html
https://www.aol.com/articles/happens-brain-eat-too-much-130000089.html
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/high-fat-dairy-consumption-linked-to-decreased-risk-of-dementia
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/not-fried-or-processed-food-this-is-in-fact-the-worst-food-for-your-brain-reveals-leading-doctor/articleshow/126300311.cms
https://www.psypost.org/scientists-trace-a-pathway-from-gut-microorganisms-to-neuropsychiatric-disorders-via-fat-molecules/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/diet/nutrition/brain-fog-festive-indulgence/
https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/artificial-sweeteners-effects-on-mood-focus-and-brain-function
